The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, has named his new front bench.
He has promoted the party's newest recruit, Dr Liam Twomey, to the health portfolio.
Former leader Michael Noonan is to become chairman of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee, and the Wexford TD, Paul Kehoe, becomes party Chief Whip.
Bernard Allen becomes the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson while Olivia Mitchell has been given the transport portfolio. Dennis Naughton becomes spokesperson on agriculture.
Michael Ring declined to accept the position as spokesman for the marine. Mr Ring has said he is 'gutted' to be off the party's front bench. He said the post he was offered was a demotion despite whatever spin they put on it.
His former position of spokesperson on social & family affairs has been given to David Stanton.
Mr Ring contrasted his position with that of the new spokesman on health, Liam Twomey, saying he had been in Fine Gael for 25 years, while Dr Twomey had only been in the party two weeks.
